Planning ahead can help reduce the stress that comes with moving. Be selective in deciding what to take with you and what to put into a self-storage unit in St. Albert. To assist in making your move less stressful, check out these packing and storage tips.
If you don't need it, then there is no sense in packing it. Take a good, hard look at all your belongings and decide whether you want to keep it, donate/sell it, or toss it. Put into your storage unit only the items you must keep or are unsure if they'll be needed in your new home.
Instead of just cleaning out one room at a time, spend your time by grouping your things into categories and then sorting through them. Group things such as clothes, books, shoes, papers, and kitchen utensils. For example, when sorting clothing, gather clothing from bedroom closets, front and back entries, the laundry room and basement seasonal storage. Then you can look at all the "like" items that you own and sort through them quickly and efficiently.
Collect as many cardboard boxes as you think you'll need, along with tape, markers and packing materials (bubble wrap, packing paper, etc). Consider purchasing good quality boxes as not all boxes are the same quality.
Use smaller boxes for your heavier items as you will want to avoid having boxes too heavy to lift comfortably.
Make sure to get a mattress bag. If you've ever moved before, you know how much of a pain it is to move a mattress and keep it clean.
At Riel Park RV & Self Storage we sell packing boxes of various sizes, specialty boxes such as wardrobe boxes, and packing supplies like packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, furniture covers and more.
Label every box with the destination room and as many contents as you can to make it easier to find. Label the tops and sides of the boxes so they can easily be identified. Also, labelling them with "open first" for necessary items for kitchen and bath helps when sorting at your new home.
You will want to easily find the things you will need right away after you move into your new place. Things such as toilet paper, toiletries, garbage bags, cleaning products, kitchen utensils and cookware. If you do not have clear bins, different coloured tape on the boxes with these items will make them easily identifiable.
Pictures and mirrors should be wrapped in cardboard and marked FRAGILE. Dishes and glasses should be wrapped in bubble wrap or packing paper and packed in sturdy boxes. Packing plates vertically makes them less likely to break.
Newspaper is a good alternative, however, newspaper transfers ink onto your stuff which will result in additional cleaning when unpacking. Do not pack fragile items and heavy items in the same box. It is important to properly pack to protect your fragile items.
Make sure to remove all batteries from electronic devices before putting them into a storage unit, especially if it's for an extended period of time.
Tape the cords to the units they belong to so they do not get lost and can easily be found.
Always try to pack any electronics or small kitchen appliances in the box they came in. This will keep them better protected and easier to identify.
Use stretch wrap to group items together, such as, rakes, brooms, curtain rods, etc.
It can also be used to protect your furniture from getting scuffed and scratched.
Put any small parts for things that you have taken apart, such as screws, into a sandwich bag and tape it to the item they belong to.
If you are going to be putting your belongings into a self-storage unit, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Prepare your unit by placing a tarp on the floor under your things or place your items on pallets to guard against dampness. Any concrete floor may become cold and damp, especially with temperature change. Leave some space between the walls and boxes to allow air to circulate.
Before you put any of your items into the storage unit, plan your storage space. Place items that you may need access to on a regular basis, in the front of the unit. Try to leave an aisle down the centre of the storage unit so you can easily get in and out when you need access to items.
Start with the heavy items first. These items should be placed in the back of the unit to help with saving space, as well as, accessibility to other items down the road. Make sure to put heavier items on the bottom and lighter boxes on top when stacking.
Many items can be broken down to store more easily. Look for ways to reduce the size of bed frames, couches, shelving, tables, etc. This will give you much more room to work with in your storage unit. If you choose not to breakdown your bookcases/wall units, these can be used to store smaller items or things you would like to keep visible.
When storing your fridge or freezer, always make sure you prop the doors open, as closing them can lead to a build up of moisture and mold.
Never store food or perishables in your storage unit. These items may attract uninvited guests like bugs and rodents.
Riel Park RV & Self Storage has storage units of various sizes to accommodate all your St Albert Storage needs. Give one of our storage rental experts a call today at 780-459-6435.
